19/02/2014
NEWS STORY
Kevin Magnussen topped the timesheets as the teams broke for lunch on the first day of the second pre-season test.
While much of the media attention has focussed on the new Lotus E22, replete with twin nose, Red Bull is also very much in the spotlight... or rather, not.
Following a disastrous Jerez test, during which the Milton Keynes outfit completed just 21 laps over the course of four days, thus far today the RB10 hasn't made an appearance. Instead, behind the barriers mechanics have been working frantically to get the car out on track... the familiar sounds of drills and jacks competing with the engine noise of the Austrian team's rivals.
Shortly before the end of the lunch break the team appeared to have the situation under control, tweeting: "Seb is strapped in and the car is on track. Standby..." Sure enough, moments later Vettel roared out of the garage.
The Mercedes powered cars continue to impress, not only in terms of pace but reliability, between them Mercedes, McLaren, Force India and Williams have completed 107 laps thus far, compared to the Ferrari teams (88) and Renault (49).
The session got off to a delayed start, as not all the marshals were in position, so today's running is extended to 17:30 to make up for the 30 minutes lost. Air temperature is a constant 25 degrees, while there is still quite a strong wind blowing.
Midday - All Times Unofficial
| Name | Team | Laps | Time | Gap |
| Magnussen | McLaren | 22 | 1:38.295 | 123.166 mph |
| Hamilton | Mercedes | 50 | 1:39.153 | 0.858 |
| Hulkenberg | Force India | 32 | 1:39.292 | 0.997 |
| Sutil | Sauber | 48 | 1:40.443 | 2.148 |
| Alonso | Ferrari | 40 | 1:40.694 | 2.399 |
| Frijns | Caterham | 42 | 1:44.337 | 6.042 |
| Grosjean | Lotus | 7 | 1:44.832 | 6.537 |
| Massa | Williams | 3 | No Time | |
| Bianchi | Marussia | 2 | No Time | |
| Vettel | Red Bull | 0 | No Time | |
| Kvyat | Toro Rosso | 0 | No Time |
Chris Balfe